13th-14th October Pullman Magenta Shores Resort

Conference Theme - The Dignity of Work

“What the dignity of work means economically, psychologically and socially”

The theme of this year’s conference, ‘The Dignity of Work’, centres on the moral case for work. Essentially that the opportunity of work enables humans to build rewarding and fulfilling lives that satisfies economic, psychological and social human needs.

The modern employment relationship involves a range of different expectations, more than those just limited by law, expectations including; the right to be given duties, the expectation of meaningful work, and the demand for job satisfaction, all which reflect the social benefits of work, and the increasing importance of these expectations on the employment relationship.

Work is more than just a financial exercise for humans, work has a deeply moral purpose and enables a pathway to self-sufficiency, psychological wellbeing, social connection, and ultimately human dignity.

NB Accommodation can be booked via this link

New Speakers & Entertainers (For Conf Dinner)  Announced.

Josh Healey

Josh Healy is a leading researcher and commentator on the future of work. His recent studies focus on technological disruption, work in the gig economy, experiences of younger and older workers, and the living wage movement. Dr Healy’s contributions include influential academic articles, commissioned reports, editorial roles, events and media appearances, and innovative classroom teaching.

Before joining the University of Newcastle in 2021, Dr Healy held research-focused roles at the University of Melbourne (2015-20) and Flinders University (2010-15), where he undertook several large-scale survey studies of Australian and international workers and workforces. 

Nigel Ward

CEO and Director. Nigel Ward is one of Australia’s leading advocates and practitioners in employee and industrial relations with more than 30 years of strategic business planning experience.

Most recently Nigel has represented ACCI in supporting the introduction of streamlined COVID-19 response measures into 99 modern awards and has been at the forefront of unprecedented employer-union negotiations leading to urgent consent variation of Hospitality, Restaurant, Clerical, and Vehicle Manufacturing/Repair/Retail Awards by the FWC in response to COVID-19 pandemic.

In his capacity as the leading employer industrial advocate, Nigel appears regularly before the Fair Work Commission in major industry cases for the peak employer association, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other major employer organisations.

As one of Australia’s leading enterprise bargaining advocates and practitioners, Nigel has been at the forefront of modern negotiations since the late 1980s.

Cilla Robinson

Cilla Robinson is a Partner in the Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Group, with over 20 years' experience advising on all aspects of employment law. She works closely with public and large private sector organisations, adopting a consistently commercial and pragmatic approach to helping her clients manage their workforces, whilst achieving their strategic objectives and minimising employment law risks.

Cilla's diverse practice and experience, coupled with her strategic involvement in industrial strategies for both corporate and government clients and the management of workforces undergoing transformation, equips her with the know-how to provide prompt solution-focused advice and deal with all of the employment related needs of any business.

In addition to business transformation and IR strategy, Cilla routinely advises on employment, discrimination and work, health and safety laws, as well as the employment aspects of corporate transactions.  She is an experienced litigator and expert in whistleblowing and modern slavery compliance, with deep experience in workplace investigations and the development of tailored training for her clients.

Cilla acts for both private and government clients in a range of industries who appreciate her commercial approach to the complex legal issues she advises on and ability to understand their business strategy.

Nichola Constant 

Nichola Constant was appointed as the first female Chief Commissioner of the NSW

Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in February 2020.

Prior to her appointment as a Commissioner of the IRC in 2018, Chief Commissioner

Constant had 20 years’ experience in workplace relations in both the private and public

sectors, including as the Assistant Crown Solicitor for Employment and as a Director in the

NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office.

Damian Sloan

Damian Sloan is a Commissioner of the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.

Damian has a long history in industrial relations. Immediately prior to being appointed to the IRC he was the Group General Manager – Employee and Industrial Relations for the Toll Group, Australia’s largest transport and logistics business. Damian was responsible for managing industrial relations and employment law matters across all of the Group’s operations, with a primary focus on the Australian businesses. 

Before Toll, Damian worked extensively in private practice. This included being a partner in the workplace relations and safety divisions of several leading law firms.

In 2000 Damian was accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in Employment and Industrial Law, which he held until his appointment to the IRC.

Damian has lectured in Employment Law at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Canberra.  He has also been published in text books and articles.

Rabia Siddique

Rabia Siddique and former terrorism and war crimes prosecutor, is also a sought-after transformational coach and mentor. A common thread in all her roles is a desire to make the world a better place, to give voice to the voiceless, and to lift up those around her so that they may be the best version of themselves. Taking inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, Rabia lives by the words ‘be the change you wish to see’ in the world.

The retired British Army officer, criminal and human rights lawyer,

Having survived a 2005 hostage ordeal in Basra Iraq, Rabia committed to living each day with purpose, serving others, and speaking her truth. Ordered by the British Military to never speak of how she was taken hostage while negotiating the release of captured Special Forces soldiers, Rabia developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her brave action for suing the British Government for sexism and racism, against public ridicule, became a catalyst for policy change to ensure a fairer workplace for women and cultural minorities in the military.

Today, she is an Australian ambassador for the United States-based Support Veterans Now, Project Peace on Earth as well as several Australian charities.  Read more about Rabia here

Entertainers for Conference Dinner

Sarah Gaul:

Sarah Gaul is a musical comedian and the breakout star of Aussie feature film HOT MESS, which was selected for film festivals all over the world, nominated for Best Indie Film at the 2020 AACTA Awards, and was recently picked up by Netflix.

As a comedian Sarah has toured internationally and spent a year in New York where she made regular appearances at Gotham Comedy Club, Club Cumming, and Broadway Comedy Club. Sarah was a NSW state finalist in the RAW Comedy Competition and was a finalist in the International Cabaret Competition. 

She has appeared on TONIGHTLY WITH TOM BALLARD, and stars in web series ON THE FRINGE, which was selected for LA Comedy Festival, Copenhagen Web Fest and Pilot Light TV Festival (UK).

Sarah recently toured her hit show WIFE right around the country, and released the show as a studio album that is now available on Spotify. 

Daniel Muggleton:

Daniel's debut special 'Let's Never Hang Out' aired on ABC Comedy and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime, he's supported Jim Jefferies, Steve Hofstetter & Neel Kolhatkar on tour and his stand-up clips have millions of views on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok. Off-stage he’s made appearances on The Feed (SBS), The Checkout (ABC) and been heard on Triple M’s ‘Molloy’ and ABC Radio. 

Daniel is the co-host of ‘Ask Us Everything’ with US comedian Steve Hofstetter which is a weekly live-podcast on Zoom, and the resident host at Sydney’s #1 Comedy Club, The Running Joke. He’s also a regular at Nowhere Comedy Club, the world’s first digital comedy club, where he’s opened for Bill Burr, Mike Birbiglia, Sam Morril & Todd Barry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtA3ukAHB0c

★★★★★ ‘Brilliantly twists the sometimes dark realities into stomach-grabbing laughter’ - The Advertiser 2022

★★★★★ ‘A foul-mouthed prophet’ - The Advertiser 2021

★★★★★ 'The calling card of a comedian with something special is the ability to find truth amongst the laughs’ - WeekendNotes

★★★★ ‘Not a 6pm comedian' - The Age

★★★★ ‘A genuinely exciting talent' - Chortle

★★★★ 'Mastered the Art of Crafting a Joke" - Radio Haha (UK)

★★★★ 'A Real Talent on Show' - ShortCom (UK) 

Accommodation can be booked via this link

Bookings will close on October 5th at 5pm

Program

Thursday 13 October

Drinks commence 6.00pm

Dinner 6.30pm

Friday 14 October

8.00am registration

8.30am start

3.30pm finish  

Members and Guests booking for this event should read the Event Terms &  Booking Conditions

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